I. This week’s votes on the floor, hearings, and markups

Each week I get the opportunity to represent you in Congress by: 1) voting on legislation that comes to the House floor; and 2) participating in committee hearings and markups for the Committee on Financial Services. 

Key House Floor Votes

Government Takeover of Student Loan Industry
On Wednesday, September 16th, I voted against H.R. 3221 because it is essentially government takeover of the student loan industry. The bill, which passed largely along party lines, is just another example of the encroaching hand of government in every area of the private sector, far exceeding its bounds of authority. H.R. 3221 requires all institutions of higher education to switch to the Federal Direct Loan (DL) program which is basically a one size fits all government student loan option that eliminates the competition and choice for students and their parents. The Department of Education will become, as a result of this bill, one of the nation’s largest banks.

Committee on Financial Services

The Community Reinvestment Act
On Wednesday, September 16th, the full Committee held a hearing entitled “Proposals to Enhance the Community Reinvestment Act.” Testifying before the Committee were representatives from: Division of Banks, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; National Urban League; Stern School of Business, NYU; National Community Reinvestment Coalition; Local Initiatives Support Corporation; National Association of Affordable Housing Lenders, MacArthur Foundation; American Bankers Association; and The Greenlining Institute.

II. Stars of the 24th

The Star of the 24th is an initiative that recognizes outstanding citizens, groups, and activities of the 24th Congressional District of Texas.

Rohail Premjee is the Star of the 24th for July 2009
Rohail, a Colleyville resident and senior at Trinity Valley High School, has been a Congressional Page in Washington, D.C. this summer. Pages have served in the House of Representatives for nearly two-hundred years. Among his many duties as a Page, Rohail assists Members with their legislative duties, delivers correspondence and small packages within the congressional complex, answers phones in the Member cloakrooms, and prepares the House Floor for sessions. Rohail has an outstanding academic and extracurricular record at his school, and he hopes to work in public policy in the future.  To learn more about Rohail, check out his profile at http://marchant.house.gov/star24_profiles.shtml.

City of Grand Prairie - Parks & Recreation Dept. is the Star of the 24th for August 2009
The Grand Prairie Parks and Recreation Department attained the highest national award that a parks and recreation department can receive – the NRPA Gold Medal. Judged on master planning, quality of facilities, new developments, creative programs, marketing, community partnerships, environmental stewardships and several other categories Grand Prairie has proven itself as one of the best parks and recreation department in the country for a city with population between 100,000 and 250,000. Grand Prairie’s Parks and Recreation Department represents the city and community with great distinction.  I am proud of their commitment to improving the quality of life and environment in the 24th.   

III. Great Quotes in History

“God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.”
-Daniel Webster (1782-1852), former Congressman, Senator, and Secretary of State

“It's not tyranny we desire; it's a just, limited, federal government.”
-Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), former Secretary of the Treasury

“That government is best which governs least.”
-Thomas Paine (1737-1809), author of Common Sense

I am honored to represent the 24th District of Texas, and appreciate your interest in my e-newsletter.  Please contact my District or DC office with any further questions you may have or visit my website at www.marchant.house.gov. You can also become my Facebook friend here or follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/RepKenMarchant.